Sheet-lifting device for loose-leaf binders



March 2- R. J. KENGOTT I 2,276,987

SHEET LIFTING DEVICE FOR A LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 20, 1940 pi I nJ j? 5 I l i l Patented Mar. 17, 1942 SHEET-LIFTI'NG DEVICE FORLOOSE-LEAF BINDERS Raymond J. Kengott, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 20, 1940, Serial No. 366,492

Claims.

This invention relates to attachments for loose-leaf binders, and moreparticularly to devices adapted to be supported solely by the rings of abinder to lift the leaves or sheets around the lower portion of therings when the covers of the binder are turned to closed position.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive,and readily detachable device for a ring binder which will automaticallyprevent the sheets from being bound and perhaps torn by the lowerportion of the rings when the binder covers are turned from opened toclosed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of attachmentswhich, although they are separate members, will be mounted in opposedrelation on the rings of the binder in such a way that they willcooperate in rolling against each other in lifting the sheets to thedesired closed position.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, in theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of anopen loose-leaf ring binder to which a pair of sheet-lifting devices hasbeen attached; Figure 2, a fragmentary end elevational view of the same;Figure 3, a side elevational view of one of the sheet-lifting devices;and Figure 4, a sectional View, taken as indicated at line 4 of Figure3.

In the embodiment illustrated, the conventional loose-leaf ring binderis shown having a back 5 to which is hinged cover members 6 and 1.Conventional split rings 8, which are generally made up of semi-circularparts, are secured Within a member 9 which permits them to be opened toattach leaves or sheets. While the rings shown are circular, theinvention is adapted to other shapes. The mechanism 9 has a shield plateI0 which covers the ring operating mechanism.

A pair of sheet-lifting attachments are installed on the rings inopposed relation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprise alongitudinal strip H of relatively stiff material such as metal, aplastic, or fiber board, and each strip is provided with a pair ofinwardly extending supports I2 which may be rigidly secured in positionby means of rivets l3 or the like.

The'supports l2 are preferably made of sheet metal and, as best shown inFigures 2 and l, have their inner end portion curled backwardly to forma rocker portion 14 and terminating in substantially perpendicular tothe body of the support.

Each of the supports is provided with a longitudinal slot l6 whichextends from the strip H substantially around the rocker Id. The slotsreceive the rings between the end of the abutment l5 and the strip ll,forming a lost-motion connection. The extreme inner end of the abutmentI5 is provided with a small semi-circular notch I611. which is adaptedto bear against a ring 8, and the slot in the rocker It providesadditional clearance for the rings when the binder is in closedposition.

It may be noted in Figure 2 that the rocker portions of the opposedsupports may bear against each other when the covers are being raised toclosed position. The same rocker is also rolled against the shield plateIt] as the covers approach closed position. The inner edges of thesheets or leaves I! rest against the flat abutments I5 and are thuscarried neatly into their closed position without danger of tearing theperforations on the rings.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in theart.

I claim:

1. A sheet-lifting device for use in a looseleaf ring binder,comprising: a longitudinal strip of thin stiff materialadapted to liebetween the leaves and one cover of the binder, said strip having a pairof inwardly extending supports and each of said supports being slottedlongitudinally to make a lost-motion connection with one of the rings,the inner end of said support being curled back on itself within thering on a large radius to provide an abutment for the inner end of theleaves when the binder is closed.

2. A device as specified in claim 1 in which the inner end of thesupport is notched to receive the ring and the abutment portion is in aplane disposed substantially perpendicular to the main body portion ofthe support.

3. A device as specified in claim 1, in which the curled portion of thesupport is rounded to form a rocker adapted to rock slidably on theshield plate of the binder within the ring when the cover is beingclosed.

4. In a loose leaf ring binder, a pair of sheetlifting devicescomprising: a pair of separate strips of rigid material having inwardlyextending narrow supports which are slotted to receive a relatively flatabutment l 5 which is in a plane and make lost-motion connections withthe rings of the binder, the inner ends of said supports being curledback within the rings to form 100pshaped rockers, said rockers of onestrip being adapted to roll against the rockers of the opposed strip andslide on the shield plate of the binder as the covers of the binder areturned to closed position.

5. In a loose-leaf ring binder, a pair of sheetlifting devicescomprising: a pair of separate strips of rigid material having inwardlyextending narrow metal supports, said supports mak-.

